Toyota has given its RAV4 medium SUV a major equipment upgrade for the 2018 model year, with important additions such as autonomous emergency braking, inbuilt satellite navigation and radar cruise control now standard across the range to better compete with rivals such as the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan X-Trail.
Price increases have also followed in all models except the top-spec Cruiser, with increases as much as $2,350 before on-road costs. However, as a result of this update, Toyota expects the 2018 RAV4 update to increase its growth, with its 15,604 sales in 2017 so far a 4.5 percent increase on 2016.
Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said RAV4 features and value are being enhanced at the same time the range is experiencing unprecedented consumer demand.
“The latest upgrades to RAV4 reflect Toyota’s commitment to expanding safety features, adding convenience and offering excellent value at every opportunity,” Mr Cramb said.
“These are key attributes that have enabled Toyota to sell more SUVs than any other company – even before the SUV category was officially recognised in 2003,” he said.
The 2018 update to the RAV4 range is significant, with much more standard equipment than ever before. Most significantly, equipment such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, radar cruise control and automatic high beam headlights are standard across the whole RAV4 range.
The base model RAV4 GX (from $29,450 plus on-road costs – up $910) also earns inbuilt satellite navigation with Toyota Link applications, automatic headlights (a big improvement judging from the high amount of RAV4’s without headlights turned on at night), front foglamps, front and rear parking sensors, digital radio and an upgraded 4.2-inch driver’s display.
RAV4 GX models otherwise are equipped with fabric seat trim, air conditioning, LED daytime running lights with LED headlights and tailights, rain-sensing wipers and seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag. Still no leather steering wheel, roof rails or alloy wheels, however.
Mid-range RAV4 GXL models see the suite of safety equipment as standard as well, and also incorporate blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert into their standard equipment. This is on top of the GXL’s healthy equipment list, which also includes 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.
Newly available on oddly only the 2.0-litre/front-wheel drive version of GXL is a leather seat package that also incorporates a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with two-position memory and front seat heating for $2500.
The top of the range RAV4 Cruiser remains unchanged from last year, though it does receive a $910 price cut on the petrol model. Equipment for the RAV4 Cruiser includes leather upholstery with electric and heated front seats, chrome 18-inch alloy wheels, an 11-speaker JBL sound system, an electric tailgate and a power sunroof.
Drivetrains for the 2018 RAV4 range remain unchanged, with the 107kW/187Nm 2.0-litre petrol/front-wheel drive, 132kW/233Nm 2.5-litre petrol/all-wheel drive and 110kW/340Nm 2.2-litre turbo diesel/all-wheel drive powertrain options continuing. 2.0-litre variants are available with a six-speed manual or CVT automatic, the 2.5-litre petrol is six-speed auto only and the diesel available with either a six-speed manual or automatic. The manuals are limited to GX models only, unfortunately.
2017 Toyota RAV4 pricing (plus on-road costs):
2.0-litre Petrol 2WD
GX manual $29,450 (up $900)
GX auto $31,490 (up $900)
GXL auto $35,490 (up $100)
2.5-litre Petrol AWD
GX auto $34,490 (up $840)
GXL auto $38,490 (up $40)
Cruiser auto $44,490 (down $910)
2.2-litre Diesel AWD
GX manual $39,060 (up $2,350)
GX auto $41,100 (up $2,350)
GXL auto $45,125 (up $1,575)
Cruiser auto $50,500 (no change)
Stay tuned to Chasing Cars for our upcoming Toyota RAV4 review, or read our previous review here.
